A consumer just brought a proposed class action against Schwan's Co., the maker of Mrs. Smith's pies, alleging that its "real butter" claim was misleading. According to the complaint, although the product was promoted as being made with "real butter," the pie is actually made with a "shortening butter blend."

The lawsuit claims at least $5 million in damages.

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Consumers who are drawn to a product which highlights the presence of ‘real butter’ would not have done so if they were also told that the shortening ingredients did not contain other natural, animal fats (i.e., lard) but instead were primarily vegetable shortening, an artificial product